You Lift Me Up

 

Hi there.  Thanks for checking in.  I have 3 cards to share today, and the first one will be entered into the Heart2Heart challenge for their Two Faced challenge.  The requirement is to use both sides of a patterned paper.The hot air balloon, from the new CTMH Give a Lift stamp set, was paper pieced using patterned paper from the Balloon Ride paper pack.  The flowers were coloured with Copics.  Those took me a few delicate moments to cut out, but it was well worth the effort!  I added a scalloped border to the blue background, and the shimmer tape to finish it off.

The next card was made with a stamp set that I really like, but have never found occasion to use.  It’s such a shame when that happens!The chicken wire background was stamped directly onto the card surface.  I then stamped, coloured and cut out the apple tree branches and fiddled with them until I liked the placement.

And last but not least…

I saw this style of card in an old paper crafting magazine and thought I’d give it a go.  I played up the country theme of the Jubilee patterned paper with the horse image from the Country Born stamp set.  The lovely little gift tag sentiment is from the Made From Scratch stamp set.

So that’s it from my little basement studio this week.  I will be back soon with more paper crafting fun.  Have a great week!

~Tracy

 

Give Me A C-T-M-H!

Hello everyone!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend, and finding some time to craft.  I have made it my mission to get up Saturday mornings and do nothing but drink tea and make stuff.  What a lovely, relaxing way to start a weekend!

Today I made a card for the Heart2Heart Challenge blog.  The theme is to create a project using the letters “C“, “T“, “M“, and “H” in some way. The letters themselves can be used, or a product or technique using the letters.  So here we go…

This fairly simple card was created using the CTMH Huntington paper pack.  The sentiment ‘miss you’ was stamped down the side in Whisper ink, and one time in Barn Red to make it stand out.  The main focal image was stamped on kraft card stock, and embellished with a rose and leaves cut out using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  A scalloped border and some Harvest Bakers Twine add the finishing touches.

Earlier this week, I was also able to sit down and make a card, which I will share with you here.  This one uses the CTMH ‘A Tree’ stamped image.  I coloured it in using Copic markers, and stamped the sentiment in black ink.  I added some stitching and a framed button embellishment.The inspiration came from a card by Betsy Veldman, I came across in an old Paper Crafters magazine.  She is definitely one of my favourite paper crafters, and if I can come close to making something as amazing as her stuff, then I consider it to be a good day!!  So I guess it helps to use one of her creations as inspiration!

Well that’s it for today.  Please leave a comment if you care to.  I enjoy hearing from you.  Have a great weekend everyone!

~Tracy

 

 

Autumn Splendour

Hello all my long lost blog friends!  Welcome, and thanks for stopping in.  Can you believe we are at the end of September?  This is my favourite time of year.  I love everything about it – the colours of the changing landscape, the bounty of the harvest, the still warm, sunny days and crisp, cool nights – a feast for the senses, and so much to be grateful for.  So, in honour of this delightful season I have some autumn cards to share with you.This was my first attempt at the ever so popular chalk board technique.  The Poster Tidings stamp set from Close To My Heart is perfect for this.  I also used the Count Your Blessings stamp set to embellish the card with a few tokens of autumn.This thank you card was inspired by someone who helped me out at work.  When I jokingly offered to send them some chocolate for doing such a great job, they responded that they were trying to eat healthy, and would prefer a bag of apples!Next up is a simple card using CTMH’s Remarkable Wreath, Swirls Around, and Always Grateful stamp sets.  The patterned papers are from the CTMH Huntington paper pack.I finally broke down this summer, and bought a pack of vellum.  I know, I know… what have I been waiting for?  I have seen so many beautiful projects using vellum, but I’ve just never gotten around to buying any.  Here, I kept it simple with a strip down the middle of this country style card (don’t worry, I do plan to get fancier with it down the road!).This card is a mash up of all sorts of things – scraps of paper, die cuts, feathers, buttons, stitching – but it reminds me how lucky I am to have all these things at my disposal when I feel the urge to create.And finally, a card I created for a card party I ran last weekend.  This was really fun, because we used Perfect Pearls to help create a background.  If you look at the top of the card, you can just make out some shimmery writing.  This was stamped on with Versamark ink, and the Perfect Pearls were spread over it with a paint brush.  The PPs stick to the Versamark and create a gorgeous shimmery background.  I learned this technique from the uber-talented Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink.  It’s my new favourite technique, and I think it will make some beautiful Christmas cards this year.

So, as you can see, I have been busy in the craft cave.  I’ve got a few other creations to share, but I’ll save those for another day.  Have a great week, and happy crafting!

~Tracy

 

Summertime Fun

Hi Everyone!

It’s been a while since I posted last.  The biggest reason being, I started a full-time job about a month and a half ago. Needless to say, that along with two kids keeps me busy, busy, busy!  But we went away to a nice, little cottage on a lake in Quebec this weekend, for one last bit of summertime fun, and I managed to squeeze in some crafting time – yeah!

This is the last of four cards I made, but I will share it first, as it is the one I want to enter into the Out of a Hat Creations Challenge this week.  The challenge theme is bunting/pennants.  I guess the lanterns aren’t really pennants but I thought it was a fun twist on the theme, and it reminds me of summertime and camping.  The stamp set is the Close To My Heart November Stamp of the Month – Illuminate.

The second card is one I made for the owners of the cottage.  A little thank you note to let them know we had a great time swimming, roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and just hanging out.  You can just see the lake in the background.  A lovely view to craft by!Next up is a beach inspired card, made with the CTMH Bright Sunshiny Day stamp set.  What is more summery than a beach, children building sandcastles, and frolicking in the water?

And finally, the cherry on top…. an ice cream sundae card!So, as you can see, it was a fun afternoon yesterday, crafting from my shady spot while watching the kids play in the water.  Moments to cherish!  I hope you all had a fabulous Labour Day weekend, and took some time to relax, and enjoy family and friends.  Have a great week!

~Tracy

My Time Made Easy August Release – State Your Case

Hello, friends.  Today is the last day of the My Time Made Easy August Release, and the template we are featuring is called ‘State Your Case’.

This is definitely a handy little “case” that will help you to perfectly package up a variety of items such as A2 size cards/envelopes, stationary, office supplies, hair care, new baby products, bath products, jams, baked goods, cooking mixes….to name a few.  So many possibilities!  In any case, no matter what you package up in here, it is sure to carry feelings of joy with it!

To adorn this gorgeous gift box, I used the ‘Thankful‘ digital images set, and coloured them in using Copic markers.  Love those fall colours! Check out what the other girls have done with this template…

Lauren Meader

Karien vab der Westhuizen

Lori Kalus

Mary Vogel

One last exciting bit of news… the very talented and hard working owner of My Time Made Easy, Lauren Meader, has a chance to have her products carried in Walmart stores.  BUT she needs your help.  If you could take a minute and vote for her products it would help her out a great deal.  Just click here, which will take you to the Walmart voting page.  Then all you have to do is click the big, orange Pretty Packaging Templates ‘Vote for This’ button.  That’s all there is to it.

Have a great day everyone!

~Tracy

 

MTME June Release: Home Sweet Home

Hello and welcome back for the second round of My Time Made Easy‘s June Release.  Today I will be featuring images from 2 great new digital stamp sets called ‘Home Sweet Home’ and ‘There’s No Place Like Home’, as well as, some new digital papers from the ‘Tiny Town’ paper pack.

This welcome card came together in a snap thanks to the wonderful door and wreath images included in the ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ digital stamp set.  All I had to do was resize the door and wreath in my photo editing software and then print them out on cardstock.  The wreath was coloured with Copic markers and cut out with scissors.  I popped it up with dimensional foam on the door.  The background is paper from the Tiny Town digital paper pack, which I printed onto a piece of ivory cardstock.  Voila! I have myself a gorgeous, handmade card for the new neighbours!

This tall gift box was cut out using the Wine & Dine cut file, and is perfect for a bottle of wine, balsamic vinegar or specialty olive oil.  I love the Tiny Town paper.  It’s perfect for the occasion!  I embellished the box with a keychain made using the Home Sweet Home digital stamp set and the Unlocked cut file.

What a great way to impress the new neighbours or friends moving into a new house.  They will be blown away by the thoughtfulness of a stunning handmade gift!  Check out what the other ladies have made by clicking on the links below.  They are all very talented and have a lot of great ideas to share.  I’ll be back June 3rd with another fun project so stay tuned…

~Tracy

• Lauren Meader
• Jackie Randolph
• Karien vab der Westhuizen
• Kimberly Morrow
• Lisa Kind
• Lori Hairston
• Lori Kalus
• Pattie Goldman
• Tracy Holmes  <— You’re here!
• Wendy McGaffey
• Romaine Rancier
• Dawn Barwick
• Mary Vogel

It’s A Circus Around Here!

Well hello there!  It’s seems like forever since I posted last.  My hubby had back surgery two weeks ago and ever since then it’s been like a circus around here.  With all the balls in the air I had to drop a few and one of them was crafting 😦  The good news is we are getting back on track and my husband is recovering nicely.  Slowly but nicely!

Speaking of the circus, the Out of a Hat Challenge this week is… you guessed it… the circus!  I made a birthday card for the challenge but maybe I should have just taken a picture of my house, lol!  Anyway, without further ado…

I don’t really own any type of circus stamps, but I do own this cute animal stamp set, which works with the circus theme.  I also thought the flags had a bit of a circusy feel to them, so I used them to stamp the background.  The animals were stamped, coloured and cut out and then perched on top of a homemade circus stand.  I couldn’t fit the whole happy birthday sentiment on the stand so I decided to make a sign for the monkey’s hand with the happy part of the sentiment on it.

I also made a card for last week’s OOAH altered paper clip/clothes pin challenge but didn’t have time to post.  So here it is a week late…

I thought it would be fun to put the altered paper clips on a card so the recipient can use them.  This would be great for a teacher.  The bottom portion of the card uses a burlap background stamp, which I inked up with four different ink colours.  I then stamped the sentiment across the bottom in black ink.

That’s all today.  Thanks for stopping by and checking it out.  I hope to be back soon with more creations.  Until then happy crafting!!

~Tracy

 

My Time Made Easy Blog Hop

Hello!  I hope you are all enjoying your week.  Can you believe it’s Thursday already?  Today is the last post showcasing My Time Made Easy‘s April Release products so sit back and enjoy!  I decided to use the shoe box template from the Match Your Bag Package to create this cute housewarming gift box.

The shoe box measures 4″ x 5 1/2″ x 9″ so it is large enough to hold something substantial.  I created this box using the brick and grid papers from the Construction Materials Digital Paper, and I coloured, printed and cut out the house accessories using the Home Improvement/Shoppe Window Digital Stamp Set.  This was really a lot of fun to put together.Of course, a gift isn’t complete without an accompanying card, so I created this cute little number to go with the housewarming gift box.  I used the same grid paper from the Construction Materials paper pack for the background and paired it up with this adorable Love Birds  digital image.   I hope you have time to check out what the rest of the design team has created for your viewing pleasure.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

~Tracy

• Dawn Barwick
• Debbie Marcinkiewicz
• Jackie Randolph
• Karien van der Westhuizen
• Kimberly Morrow
• Lauren Meader
• Lisa Kind
• Lori Hairston
• Lori Kalus
• Pattie Goldman
• Romaine Rancier
• Tangii Crain
• Tracy Holmes  <— You’re here!
• Wendy McGaffey

My Time Made Easy April Sneak Peek

Hello peeps!  Only 2 days until April.  Doesn’t that sound fabulous?  Speaking of fabulous, check out this new Sole Mates running shoe template from My Time Made Easy‘s April Release…

Is this not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?  I’m blown away by it, and let me tell you, it is even cuter in real life!  The running shoe was made with the new Sole Mates cut file, Sole Mates digital stamp set and Go Shopping digital paper pack.

The finished shoe measures 2 3/4 inches wide x 3 1/3 inches tall x 8 1/2 inches long.  As you can see by the photo, I was able to stuff a fairly large bag of jelly beans inside.  I decorated this shoe for a boy, but this could be just as cool for a girl if you change the colours.  Fill this up with the birthday girl or boy’s most loved candy and add an awesomely cool gift card from their favourite store for a jaw dropping birthday gift!I finished off this gift with a birthday card using the MTME Sk8tr Boy Digital Stamp Set.

Please take a few minutes to check out some of the other great things My Time Made Easy has to offer by clicking on the links below.  And for more amazing ideas be sure to visit the design team’s inspiration gallery.  You won’t be disappointed!  Happy Easter everyone!

~Tracy

Lauren Meader

Jackie Randolph

Mary Vogel

Tracy Holmes  <— you’re here!

 

 

4 My Friend

Hello everyone!  It’s March madness around here this week with the kids being off school.  What to do to keep them busy (and give me a bit of crafting time!).  Today we invited some friends over and baked chocolate chip cookies so they have full tummies and are playing together nicely.  Time for a quick post.

My first of two cards is for the Out of a Hat Challenge this week.  The theme is friendship.  We all need them and I feel so blessed to have such great ones – crafty blog friends included!  Here’s to you…

I just received a new CTMH stamp set entitled Country-Born.  The sunflowers in the milk can came from that set and I coloured it in with alcohol ink markers.  I then cut it out and popped it up on a background cut from Buzz and Bumble paper.  The side of the card is stamped with hexagons in Bamboo ink from the Honeycomb stamp set.  I ran a paper border down the edge of the hexagons and added a faux stitch with a brown maker.  No honeycomb is complete without a bumblebee, so I added my favourite bee stamp from the Jardin stamp set.  To finish it off I added the sentiment flag in the bottom corner.

My second card is for last week’s Heart2Heart challenge.  The theme was spring so I thought rays of sunshine for this one.I used the burlap pennant from Patterned Pennants for the sun’s rays.  The sun and air balloons were cut out with the Artiste cartridge and stamped with images from the April stamp of the month – My Sunshine.  I stamped the large air balloon in several different colours cut out the strips and popped them up for dimension.

Hope you’re having a great week.  Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!  See you back here again real soon and until then happy crafting!

~Tracy